Adjustable platform



. fl'ov. 1 1923.

J. FERRERO ADJUSTABLE PLATFORM Fild July 17. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Nov. 13-, 3.923.

UNITED STATES JOHN rEaRnn-o, or ANGELS cemrpcanrronnfa;

ADJUSTABLE rratrron vrf Application filed July 17, 1922. Serial No. 575,689.

To a ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN Fnnnnno, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Angels Camp, Calaveras County, and State of California, have invented a new and use ful Adjustable Platform, of which the following is a Specification;

The present invention. relates to improvements in adjustable platforms and has particular reference to a platform that may be used in work-shops or other suitable places to enable the operator to conveniently work; on objects which are out of his reach when he is standing on the main floor. A particular object of the invention is to provide means allowing the operator to raise and lower the platform at will while he is standing on the same. A further object of the invention is to construct this means in such a manner that the operator may raise either end by itself or both ends simultaneously. A further object of the invention is to render this platform portable and to provide suitable means in connection therewith allowing the device to be firmly braced against motion in either direction. A further object of the invention is to construct a device in such a manner that it may be readily disassembled and moved from place to place. Other objects and advantages of the device will appear as the specification proceeds.

The preferred form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 represents a side view of the same; Figure 2 a top plan view; Figure 3 an end view, and Figure 4 is a perspective detail view of a replacing bar, and Figure 5 is a detail view partly broken away of the handle for actuating my device. While I have shown only the preferred form of the invention it should be understood that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the claim hereto attached without departing from the spirit of the invention.

My device is supported on the truck (1) comprising a front member (2) resting on the axle (3) journaled in the wheels (4), a rear member (6) resting on the axle (7) journaled in the rear wheels (8) and two connections between the two members, each comprising a shaft (9) rigidly secured to one of the members and a sleeve (11) rigidly secured to the other member adapted to slidably receive the shaft (,9). Set screws (12) threadedly engaging collars (13) provided on the sleeves (11) are adapted to hold the shafts (9) against longitudinal motion. 1

Each corner of the truck is provided with a recess (14) of rectangular cross section inwhich may be inserted the posts (16) provided in their upper ends with teeth (17 and held in placeby means of set screws (18). In this manner there is provided a front pair of posts and a rear pair and each pair cooperates with a frame ('19) preferably made of metal and terminating at each corner in forks (21) slidably engaging the posts. From each frame extends ina slanting upwarddirection a pair of brackets (22) in which is journaled a shaft (23) provided at either end with cog wheels (24) adapted to engage the teeth on the posts. A turning of the shaft (23) causes the frame to rise or fall according to the direction of rotation and this rotation is brought about by means of a wormgear (26) rigidly secured to the shaft and a worm (27) journaled in the bearing (28) secured to the top of the frame by means of bolts (29). The two worms (27) which are threaded oppositely are rotated by the crank shaft (35) which allows the device to be handled by a single operator. The platform (31) prefer ably made of two pieces (32) and (33) is supported on the two lower frame members The truck may be moved in any suitable manner and for this purpose I provide either a pole (36) as shown at the front end or a shaft (37) as shown at the rear end.

To firmly secure the truck'in its place while the platform is being used I provide the braces (38) pivotally secured to the front and rear ends of the truck as shown at (39) having a number of upwardly pointing teeth (41) therein. The latter are adapted to be engaged by the curved points (42) of a tension member (43) pivotally supported in the truck above each brace. This tension member (43) has a turnbuckle (44) incorporated therein which allows the point (42) to be forced forward into firm engagement with the teeth. If the brace. is not used, the tension member as well as the brace may be swung upwardly on their respective pivots and held in place by means of a pin penetrating two registering holes (46 and 47) in the brace and the truck respectively.

The operation of the device will be readily urslerstood from the fore 'oing description. The length of the truck may be regulated with the aid of the set screws (12) and the posts inserted in their respective corners and secured in place by means of the set screws (18). The two frames (19) are then inserted between the posts or are engaged with the posts While .the latter are being inserted. The placing of the platform (31) on the lowerfran e members completes the assembling of the device. To raise and lower the platform it is only necessary to turn the crank shaft (35) and to hold the device in place, the braces (38) are lowered and the point (a2) of the'tension members (43) engaged with the teeth of the braces, the turnbuckle being used to force the braces in firm contact with-the ground surface.

If it is desired to move the device over a long distance the posts (16') may be removed and replaced. by shorter bars (48) which serve to hold the frames in their respective places but do not project beyond the same. In this case the posts may be placed on the platform. The truck is pivotally supported over each axle by means of the pins (51) and either end may be made the front end. To preventthe rear axle in either case from turning I introduce the pin (52') adapted to be inserted through corresponding perforations in the members 2 and 6 respectively and the two axles.

Iclaim:

A portable adjustable platform comprising a rectangular'truck, a post mounted in each corner having teeth thereon, tWo frames supporting the ends of the platform sliding between adjacent posts. in parallel relation and means for raising and lowering the frames comprising a horizontal shaft associated with each frame having two gear wheels thereon engaging the teeth of the respective posts, a worm gear mounted on each shaft, a worm engaging each. worm gear and a shaft voperatively engaging both Worms having a central crank thereon allowing the worms to be manipulated simultaifieously by a person standing on the plat- :orm.

JOHN FERRERO. 

